What to Expect When You're Expecting the iPhone 6

Two new iPhones and the long-rumored iWatch are on the agenda for Tuesday's big event.

Tomorrow, the tech press will descend on Cupertino, Calif. for Apple's reveal of its newest products. The event is being held at the Flint Center—a location Apple hasn't used to unveil a product since the first Mac. Beyond the unusual location, the event will also have a few unusual guests: fashion writers. Editors from several top fashion magazines have reportedly received invites to this week's event, a first for many of them. So, what does Apple have in store for us?

Two iPhones

Rumors and leaks suggest that we'll see not one but two new iPhones on Tuesday (this guy even seems to have one already). Last year, or course, Apple revealed two new iPhones, but one of those—the 5C—was a dressed up version of the old iPhone 5. This year, both new offerings will be top-of-the-line.

The difference between the two is expected to be screen size: We're expecting a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and a 5.5-inch iPhone 6L. Both are considerably larger than the 4-inch iPhone 5S and are believed to come sporting sapphire glass, making them less prone to damage than previous models.

Under the hood, you can expect the same upgrades we've seen whenever Apple debuts a new iPhone: a faster processor, better camera, and improved performance. The new phones are also rumored to come with NFC-support, which would enable them to make purchases through a new payment processing service Apple is expected to launch at the event.

If Apple stays true to its typical timeline, we'll see the phones go on sale next Friday, September 19.

iWatch

After months—nay, years—of speculation, we think Apple finally will unwrap its first wearable device Tuesday. We haven't seen much information leak about the watch, and that radio silence suggests it might not be in production quite yet.

Reports have Apple designer Jonathan Ive bragging about the wearable on campus, remarking, "Switzerland is in trouble," (though he used a more colorful word than "trouble"). Given that Apple has decided to invite fashion press, we can presume the iWatch (if that is your real name) will have at least a fashion-conscious design, potentially something totally different than competitors like the Moto 360 and Galaxy Gear.

The watch is expected run a version of iOS 8 and to pair with the iPhone for uses including text messaging and social networking. It will also work as a health tracker, putting the device squarely in competition with devices like FitBit and Jawbone. The watch is also thought to have NFC integration, enabling you to pay for purchases with your credit card by tapping your watch on a pay terminal.

Experts have the device pinned at a $400 price point, which would make Apple's device pricier than the competition but cheaper than a luxury watch. As with the iPhone 6, we'll probably see two sizes of the wearable: a standard size and then a smaller version for daintier wrists.

But maybe don't expect the watch under the tree this holiday season. If it hasn't gone into production yet, we could be waiting for the wearable until next year.

iOS 8

One thing you won't have to wait for: iOS 8. Expect the iPhone 6 to come running the next version of Apple's mobile operating system, and for Apple to tell us a lot more about it, along with a release date, on Tuesday.

Shown off at WWDC earlier this year, the OS includes a bunch of new features to make it easier to sync your content and share your files across. At WWDC Apple also showed off HealthKit and HomeKit, two developer tools for integrating third-party products into iOS 8. Expect to hear a lot more about both, and how they integrate with the company's newest devices, at Tuesday's event.

Apple currently has iOS 8 slated for a fall 2014 release; our money is on Cupertino releasing the OS for current devices on September 17, a few days before the iPhone 6 launch.

One More Thing…

Apple could use Tuesday's event to launch the next version of OS X, Yosemite. It could also take the opportunity to refresh its MacBook Air line or show off a new iPad—but don't bank on it. The iPhone 6 and iWatch are huge releases on their own. Expect updates to Apple's other products to come a little later, perhaps at a separate event in October.

All secrets will be revealed in just a few short hours. You can watch the event live on Apple's website starting at 1 pm Eastern Tuesday, or check back here to read about all the news along with our hands-on impression of the new devices after the event.

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